Fold able bed frame



March 10, 1964 s, R. PAINE ETAL 3,123,337

FOLDABLE BED FRAME Original Filed March 23, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l Z4 Z5 29 II n 2: 27 FIG-1 Z8 29 mwsmozzs STUART R. PAINE HAROLD E. aormsbu,

BY WALTER A. MAUCH a LLIAM P. SELLS 'ATTORNEYS March 10, 1964 s. R. PAINE ETAL FOLDABLE BED FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 23, 1959 FIG- FIG

STUART HAROLD WALTER WILLIAM W M /MWW ATTORNEYS United States Patent M 3,123,837 FOLDABLE BED FRAME Stuart R. Paine, Louisville, Ky, Harold E. Johnson, Endianapoiis, Ind, Walter A. Mauch, Lima, Ohio, and William P. Sells, Valley Station, Ky, assignors to Moderne Products (30., Inc., Seymour, had, a corporation of lndiana Continuation of application Ser. No. 801,140, Mar. 23, 1951 This application Dec. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 160,695 14 Claims. (Cl. -181) This invention pertains to beds and more particularly to foldable bed frames.

The material frequently used in the manufacture of foldable bed frames is rerolled railroad rail sections formed into an angle. Although this material is less costly per pound as compared to prime steel, the minimum thickness to which it can be rolled and still preserve the necessary strength of the frame tends to offset whatever advantage might have been realized by reason of its lower initial cost.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a foldable bed frame which may be manufactured from prime channel section steel resulting in a lighter, stronger and easier to erect bed frame than comparable frames formed of rerolled stock. This is accomplished in part by the employment of channel sections in the side rails and the end rails. An advantage of tins arrangement lies in its adaptability for readily accommodating various lengths and widths of bedding. Offset mattress retaining clips are employed in combination with the channel section side rails and offset legs to provide for the recessing of the frame within the outer dimension of the box spring to reduce the possibility of physical discomfort brought about by accidental contact against the feet, legs and ankles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bed frame having end rails formed of channel sections adjustably nested one within the other to. form a box section of great strength. An advantage of this arrangement lies in the elimination of the shearing component which is otherwise placed on an adjusting bolt. The invention preferably employs an adjusting bolt extended through the box section for the ready adjustability of the end rails one with the other upon the loosing of the bolt. The permanency of the adjustment is assured by the fact that the compression of the rails together as a box section causes a frictional engagement out of proportion to the drawing force exerted by the bolt.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a foldable bed frame including a leg which forms. a support for one side of the channel side rail and which also forms a pivotal support for a foldable end raid. A further advantage of this invention lies. in the arrangement of channel spacers inserted in the side rails. at the point of their attachment to the legs which serve to prevent the compression of the side rails and to provide a rigid stop for positioning the end rails in the open or extended position. A further advantage of this leg arrangement lies in the elimination of shearing forces at the point of attachment of the leg to the frame.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bed frame;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the frame showing the end rails in the extended position with the folded position be ing shown in broken outline form;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken away enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2;

1 1G. 4 is a section of the leg assembly taken generally along line 4.--4 of FIG. 3;

3,123,837. Patented Mar. 10., 1964 FIG. 5 is an elevational fragmentary view of the interfitting portion of the end rails looking generally as indicated at 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a section through one of the end rails taken generally along line 66 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational detail of the means of mounting one of the headboard brackets looking generally as indicated at '77 of FIG. 2.

A preferred embodiment of a folding frame constructed according to the teachings of this invention is indicated generally at 10 and includes a pair of spaced apart side rails 11 of generally U-shaped channel section and each having an upper flange 12 and a lower flange 13. The side rails 11 are each arranged with their flanges disposed inwardly toward each other. Means are included for the engagement and support of a box spring including generally L-shaped box spring retaining lock or clips 14 secured in pairs to the upper flanges 12 and projected outwardly therefrom for the support of a spring between the opposite pairs of the clips 14 and the upper flanges 12.

Each of the side rails 11 is supported in spaced relation from the floor by a leg assembly fixed adjacent each end thereof and indicated generally at 16. The leg assembly 16 includes a sheet metal die stamped leg 17 having an upper portion formed into a triangularly shaped, outwardly flared support platform 13. The edges of the sheet metal which form the leg'17 are brought together to form an inwardly offset and generally conical bottom portion 19 terminating in a straight line portion 20. The portion 29 is completely enclosed by a tubular collar 21. A caster socket 22 of standard manufacture may be in serted into the opening defined within the straight line portion 20 and acaster 23 may be carried within the socket 22. The collar 21 eliminates the possibility of seam separation at the leg 1'7 due to the forces on the caster 23.

Means are included for securing the rail 11 to the platform 18 including a generally triangular plate 24 mounted on the upper flange 12 in superimposed relation over the platform 18 and secured thereto by a pair of elongated rivets 25. A channel spacer 26, consisting of a short section of channel, is inserted between the flanges 12 and 13. of the cross rail 11 in interfitting relation thereto and pro vides support for the flanges and prevents their distortion by the-rivets 25.

The assembly 16 includes means for the pivotal support of one of a pair of end rails 27 and 28. The end rails 27 and 28 are also formed of generally U-shaped channel section and provide a means for adjusting the spaced apart width of the side rails 11. Each of the end rails. 27 and 23. is mounted, on a rivet 29 between the plate 24. and the support platform 18 for pivotal movement from a folded position parallel to the associated side rail 11 to an extended position substantially normal thereto. In the extended position, the rails 27' and 2.8 of one of the side rails 11 are adjacent the, corresponding rails 28 and 2,7 of the other side. rail and form opposite. pairs ofend, rails with flanges disposed toward each other. The siderflanges of the end rail 23 are of slightly greater spacedapart dimension. than the flangesv of the rail 27 to permit the adjustable telescopic interfitting of the opposite pairs of, end rails one within the other to form box section portions 30.

A pair of. washers 31 are positioned between the end rail and the plate 24, and the platform 1i;v for free pivotal movement of the rails 27, 2,8 onthe rivet, 2,9. A short section'of, tubular sleeve 31a is positioned on the rivet 29 between the, flanges of the rail 27 to prevent any possible damage due. to the compression of the rail during the swedging of the rivet 29.

The endrail 28 includes a rearwardly extended por tion 32' for movement between the flanges 12 and 13 of the side rails 11 in stopping abutment against the channel spacer 26 in the fully extended position. Similarly, the end rail 27 includes a rearwardly extended portion 33 over which a short section 34 of channel is fitted for movement on the rivet 29 with the rail 27. The section 34 provides a flat wearing surface for abutment against the channel spacer 26 when the rail 27 is fully extended. By means of the abutment of the end rails 27 and 28 against the channel spacers 26, the maximum outward movement of the end rails 27 and 28 is defined and rigidity of the assembled frame is assured.

Means are provided for adjusting the width of the frame including an elongated slot 38 formed in the side rail 28 and a plurality of openings 3? in the adjacent rail 27 in the region of the box section portion 31 Identifying information may be printed adjacent each of the openings 39 for indicating the approximate width of bedding that may be accommodated by the use of the particular opening. A carriage bolt 40 is placed through the slot 38 into one of the openings 39 according to the width of the bedding to be supported. The slot 38 provides adjustment for discrepancies in the widths of different beddings and permits the side rails 11 to be positioned in against a box spring when in place to engage opposite pairs of the clips 14 firmly against the spring. The tightening of a wing nut 41 on the carriage bolt 44 compresses the end rails 27 and 28 in frictional engagement one with the other without any shearing force on the bolt itself.

One end of each of the side rails 11 is extended beyond the leg assemblies 16 to provide a means for the support of a headboard on a headboard bracket 44. The bracket 44 includes a fiat slotted plate 45 and a tongue 46 secured by rivets 47 to the rails 11 between the flanges 12 and 13. This permits the support of considerable weight by the bracket 44 without imparting shearing forces to the rivets 47. Any suitable headboard may be secured at the bracket 44 as desired and the strength of this arrangement permits the support of a headboard clear of the floor in the manner of a floating headboard if desired.

It is therefore understood from the preceding description that the end rails 27 and 28 may be pivotally folded on the rivets 29 to lie parallel to the side rails 11 and thereby provide a compact package for storage or shipment. When the assembly of the frame It) is desired, it is only necessary to determine the width of the bedding to be supported. The end rails 27 and 28 are then extended until the portions 32, 33 engage the channel spacers 26 which solidly define the fully extended position. Opposite pairs of rails 27 and 28 are telescopically engaged one within the other and the carriage bolt 40 is inserted through the slot 33 and brought out at the appropriate opening 39 according to the width of the bedding. At this time, it may be desirable to provide for slidability of the rails 27 and 28 with each other for the exact adjustment of the spaced apart width of the clips 14 by deferring the tightening of the wing nut 41 on the carriage bolt 40. It will be appreciated that no sag will occur in the box section portion of the end rails by reason of the temporarily loose condition of the bolt and nut 41. The side rails 11 may then be brought in to engage the clips 14 along opposite sides of the spring and the Wing nut 41 may be tightened to secure the frame 10 in this adjusted position.

The offset of the legs 17 in relation to the support platform 18, and the offset of the side rails 11 in relation to the clips 14, place the metal components of the frame within the outer dimension of the bedding and therefore free from hindrance and obstruction. It is therefore seen that a foldable bed frame is provided which combines light weight with strength and versatility.

This application is a continuation of the copending application of Stuart R. Paine et al., Serial No. 801,140, filed March 23, 1959, now abandoned, and assigned to the same assignee as this application.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an adjustable folding bed frame, a pair of spaced apart side rails for the support of a box spring thereon, a supporting leg assembly fixed to each of said rails adjacent each end thereof, a U-shaped channel section end rail pivotally mounted to each of said assemblies for movement between a folded position parallel to the associated said side rail and an extended position normal to said associated side rail and in said extended position projecting toward the other of said side rails adjacent the corresponding end rail thereof to form pairs of end rails, said pairs of end rails having flanges disposed toward each other and proportioned for interfitting self-supporting engagement with the flanges of one of said end rails fitted within the flanges of the other when so extended to form a box section portion, and means for fixing each said pair of end rails together in predetermined adjusted position for the adjustment of the spaced apart width of said side rails.

2. In an adjustable folding bed frame, a pair of spaced apart generally U-shaped channel section side rails having upper and lower flanges and arranged with said flanges disposed inwardly toward each other for the support of a box spring on the upper flange thereof, a supporting leg assembly fixed to each of said rails adjacent each end thereof, a generally U-shaped channel section end rail pivotally mounted to each of said assemblies for movement between a folded position parallel to the associated said side rail and an extended position normal to said associated side rail and in said extended position projecting toward the other of said side rails adjacent the corresponding end rail thereof to form pairs of end rails, said pairs of end rails having flanges disposed toward each other and proportioned for interfitting self-supporting engagement one within the other when so extended to form a box section portion, and means for fixing each said pair of end rails together in predetermined adjusted position for the adjustment of the spaced apart width of said side rails.

3. In an adjustable folding bed frame, a pair of spaced apart generally U-shaped channel section side rails having upper and lower flanges and arranged with said flanges disposed inwardly toward each other, mattress clips secured to the upper flange of said side rails and extending outwardly therefrom for engagement at the outer dimension of a box spring for positioning said side rails normally inwardly of such outer dimension, a supporting leg assembly fixed to each of said rails adjacent each end thereof, a generally U-shaped channel section end rail pivotally mounted to each of said assemblies for movement between a folded position parallel to the associated said side rail and an extended position normal to said associated side rail and in said extended position projecting toward the other of said side rails adjacent the corresponding end rail thereof to form pairs of end rails, said pairs of end rails having flanges disposed toward each other and proportioned for interfitting engagement one within the other when so extended to form a box section portion, and means for fixing each said pair of end rails together in predetermined adjusted position for the adjustment of said clips into engagement with the edges of such box spring.

4. In a folding bed frame, a side rail of generally U- shaped channel section having upper and lower flanges for the support of a box spring on said upper flange, a leg including an upper support platform, means securing said lower flange of said side rail to said platform, a plate secured to said upper flange in superimposed relation with said platform, a channel spacer mounted within said side rail between said leg and said plate, an end rail of generally U-shaped channel section mounted between said plate and said leg for pivotal movement relative thereto between a folded position parallel to said side rail and an extended position substantially normal to said side rail, and said end rail including an extended portion moveable within said side rail between said upper and lower flanges for stopping abutment against said spacer when said end rail is in saidv substantially normal position.

5. In a folding bed frame, a side rail of generally U- shaped channel section having upper and lower flanges for the support of a box spring on the upper flange of said rails, a generally conical leg including an outwardly flared upper support platform, means securing said side rail at said lower flange to said platform, a plate secured to said upper flange in superimposed relation with said platform, a channel spacer mounted within said side rail between said leg and said plate, an end rail of generally U-shaped channel section mounted between said plate and said leg for pivotal movement relative thereto between a folded position parallel to said side rail and an extended position substantially normal to said side rail, and said end rail including an extended portion movable within said side rail between said upper and lower flanges for stopping abutment against said spacer when said end rail is in said substantially normal position.

6. An adjustable folding bed frame, comprising a pair of spaced apart generally U-shaped channel section side rails having upper and lower flanges and arranged with said flanges disposed inwardly toward each other for the support of a box spring on the upper flange thereof, a supporting leg assembly fixed to each of said rails adjacent each end thereof, a generally U-shaped channel section end rail pivotally mounted to each of said assemblies for movement between a folded position parallel to one of said side rails and an extended position normal to said one side rail and in said extended position projecting toward the other of said side rails adjacent the corresponding end rail thereof to form pairs of end rails, each of said end rails of said pairs having spaced apart flanges disposed toward each other, the said flanges of one of said end rails in said pair having a greater spaced apart dimension than the other of said rails of said pair for interfitting engagement one within the other when so extended to form a self-supporting box section portion, and means for fixing each said pair of end rails together at said portions in predetermined adjusted position for the adjustment of the spaced apart width of said side rails.

7. In a folding bed frame, a side rail of generally U- shaped channel section having upper and lower flanges for the support of a box spring on said upper flange, a leg including a generally triangular upper support platform formed thereon, means securing said lower flange of said side rail to one side of said platform, a generally triangular plate secured to said upper flange in superimposed relation to said platform, an end rail of generally U-shaped channel section mounted for pivotal movement between said plate and said leg for pivotal movement relative thereto between a folded position parallel to said side rail and an extended position substantially normal to said side rail, and said end rail including an extended portion movable within said side rail between said upper and lower flanges in the extended position thereof.

8. In an adjustable folding bed frame, a pair of spaced apart generally U-shaped channel section side rails having upper and lower flanges and arranged with said flanges disposed inwardly toward each other for the support of a box spring on the upper flange thereof, a supporting leg assembly fixed to each of said rails adjacent each end thereof, a generally U-shaped channel section end rail pivotally mounted to each of said assemblies for movement between a folded position parallel to the associated said side rail and an extended position normal to said associated side rail and in said extended position projecting toward the other of said side rails adjacent the corresponding end rail thereof to form pairs of end rails, said pairs of end rails having flanges disposed toward each other and proportioned for self-supporting interfitting engagement one within the other when so extended to form a box section portion, means for fixing each said pair of end rails together in predetermined adjusted position for the adjustment of the spaced apart width of said side rails, a headboard bracket for said side rails each including a flat slotted plate for supporting a headboard thereon and tongue extending within said side rail between said flanges and secured to said side rail.

9. An adjustable folding bed frame, comprising a pair of spaced apart generally U-shaped channel section side rails having upper and lower flanges and arranged with said flanges disposed inwardly toward each other for the support of a box spring on the upper flanges thereof, a supporting leg assembly fixed to each of said rails adjacent each end thereof, a generally U-shaped channel section end rail pivotally mounted to each of said assemblies for movement between a folded position substantially parallel to one of said side rails and an extended position substantially normal to said one side rail and in said extended position projecting toward the other of said side rails adjacent the corresponding end rail thereof to form pairs of end rails, each of said end rails of said pairs having spaced apart flanges disposed toward each other, the said flanges of one said end rails in said pair having a greater spaced apart dimension than the other of said rails of said pair for interfitting engagement one within the other when so extended to form a self-supporting box section portion, and means for fixing each said pair of end rails together at said portions according to the width of such box spring including means in one of said end rails defining spaced apart bolt receiving openings representing standard widths of such springs and means in the other of said end rails of said portions defining an elongated transverse bolt receiving slot to provide adjustment for variations in the Widths of such springs.

10. A folding bed frame comprising, a side rail of generally U shaped channel section having upper and lower flanges arranged for the support of a box spring on the upper flange thereof, a leg assembly including a generally triangular upper support platform and a depending leg formed thereon, means securing said lower flange on said side rail to said platform adjacent one side thereof, a generally triangular plate secured to said upper flange in superimposed relation to said platform, an end rail of generally U-shaped channel section mounted for pivotal movement between said plate and said platform between a folded position generally parallel to said side rail and an extended position substantially normal thereto, and a short spacer of generally U-shaped channel section secured between said upper and lower flanges of said side rail between said plate and said platform for providing additional strength to said leg assembly.

11. A folding bed frame comprising, a side rail of generaily U-shaped channel section having upper and lower flanges arranged for the support of a box spring on the upper flange thereof, a leg assembly including a generally triangular upper support platform and a depending inwardly offset leg formed thereon, means securing said lower flange of said side rail to said platform adjacent one side thereof, a generally triangular plate secured to said upper flange in superimposed relation to said platform, a short spacer of generally U-shaped channel section secured between said upper and lower flanges of said side rail between said plate and said platform for providing additional strength to said leg assembly.

12. A folding bed frame comprising a pair of spaced apart side rails having smooth upper surfaces for the support of a box spring thereon, a pair of supporting leg assemblies connected to each of said side rails, an end rail pivotally mounted to each of said assemblies and movable thereon between a folded position adjacent the associated side rail to an extended position normal thereto, each of said end rails when so extended being slidably engageable with an opposite end rail and each having a smooth upper surface lying generally in the plane of the surface of said side rails for the support of a box spring thereon, means adjustably securing said opposite end rails together, box spring retaining locks supported in spaced apart relation on each of said side rails having a portion rigidly extending outwardly therefrom beyond the outer edges of said side rails and terminating in an upwardly turned end for engagement with the sides of a box spring to support such spring on said frame with said side rails recessed inwardly of the side edges of a supported spring free of continuous exposed supporting structure.

13. A folding bed frame comprising a pair of spaced apart side rails having smooth upper surfaces for the support of a box spring thereon, an end rail pivotally mounted to each of said side rails inwardly of the ends thereof and movable between a folded position adjacent the associated side rail to an extended position normal thereto, each of said end rails having a smooth upper surface lying generally in the plane of the surface of said side rails for the support of a box spring inwardly of the ends of such spring, at least two box spring retaining locks fixedly supported in spaced apart relation on each of said side rails having a horizontal portion extending outwardly therefrom beyond the outer edges of said side rails and terminating in an upwardly turned end for engagement with the sides of a box spring to support such spring on said frame with said side rails recessed inwardly of the side edges of a supported spring free of continuous exposed supporting structure.

14. A folding bed frame comprising a pair of spaced apart side rails having smooth upper surfaces for the support of a box spring thereon, a pair of supporting leg assemblies connected to each of said side rails inwardly of each end thereof, an end rail pivotally mounted to each of said side rails at said assemblies and movable between a folded position adjacent the associated side rail to an extended position normal thereto and in said normal position extending from a point inwardly of the ends thereof, each of said end rails being slidably engageable with an opposite end rail and each having a smooth upper surface lying generally in the plane of the surface of said side rails for the support of a box spring inwardly of the ends thereof, means adjustably securing said opposite end rails together, a pair of box spring retaining looks fixedly supported in spaced apart relation on each of said side rails having a portion extending outwardly therefrom beyond the outer edges of said side rails and terminating in an upwardly turned end movable into engagement with the sides of a box spring with the adjustment of said end rails to support such spring on said frame with said side rails recessed inwardly of the side edges of a supported spring free of continuous exposed supporting structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,014,452 Chinter Jan. 9, 1912 1,250,945 Beldin Dec. 25, 1917 1,478,937 Blin Dec. 25, 1923 2,147,538 Maguire et al. Feb. 14, 1939 2,480,025 Hunter Aug. 23, 1949 2,542,744 Willems et al Feb. 20, 1951 2,595,845 Hagwell May 6, 1952 2,611,907 Clerc Sept. 30, 1952 2,618,000 Harris Nov. 18, 1952 2,721,338 Resnick Oct. 25, 1955 2,882,535 Sands Apr. 21, 1959 

1. IN AN ADJUSTABLE FOLDING BED FRAME, A PAIR OF SPACED APART SIDE RAILS FOR THE SUPPORT OF A BOX SPRING THEREON, A SUPPORTING LEG ASSEMBLY FIXED TO EACH OF SAID RAILS ADJACENT EACH END THEREOF, A U-SHAPED CHANNEL SECTION END RAIL PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO EACH OF SAID ASSEMBLIES FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FOLDED POSITION PARALLEL TO THE ASSOCIATED SAID SIDE RAIL AND AN EXTENDED POSITION NORMAL TO SAID ASSOCIATED SIDE RAIL AND IN SAID EXTENDED POSITION PROJECTING TOWARD THE OTHER OF SAID SIDE RAILS ADJACENT THE CORRESPONDING END RAIL THEREOF TO FORM PAIRS OF END RAILS, SAID PAIRS OF END RAILS HAVING FLANGES DISPOSED TOWARD EACH OTHER AND PROPORTIONED FOR INTERFITTING SELF-SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FLANGES OF ONE OF SAID END RAILS FITTED WITHIN THE FLANGES OF THE OTHER WHEN SO EXTENDED TO FORM A BOX SECTION PORTION, AND MEANS FOR FIXING EACH SAID PAIR OF END RAILS TOGETHER IN PREDETERMINED ADJUSTED SAID PAIR OF END RAILS TOGETHER IN PREDETERMINED ADJUSTED POSITION FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE SPACED APART WIDTH OF SAID SIDE RAILS. 